Passive thermally regulated knockdown shipping container

ABSTRACT

A stackable, passive thermally regulated, knockdown shipping container. The container includes (i) a pair of separate and independent interchangeable end panels, each carrying a detachable panel of fragile thermal insulation, and (ii) a plurality of separate and independent sidewall components each having at least two hingedly interconnected structural panels which carry a detachable panel of fragile thermal insulation. The end panels are each configured and arranged with (a) an external set of projections operable for stably supporting the container on a planar surface, and (b) an external set of depressions. The depressions are configured and arranged such that each projection on the panel, if inverted, would nest within a corresponding depression on the panel upon rotation of the inverted set of projections a defined angular distance about a longitudinal axis of the container relative to the set of depressions.

BACKGROUND

Thermally labile goods are frequently transported or shipped in passive thermally regulated shipping containers (i.e., a thermally insulated container containing a thermally conditioned phase change material such as ice). While generally effective for maintaining an object to be shipped at a nominally heated or cooled temperature, the storage and return transport of empty containers remains an ongoing issue.

Efforts to construct foldable or knockdown passive thermally regulated shipping containers in an effort to minimize the space occupied by empty containers have meet with limited success as such containers tend to provide limited thermal regulation, are labor intensive and/or require trained technicians to assemble and disassemble.

Accordingly, a substantial need continues to exist for knockdown passive thermally regulated shipping container that provides superior thermal regulation and is quick and easy to assemble and disassemble without error.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention is a sidewall component suitable for use in construction of a passive thermally regulated knockdown shipping container. The sidewall component includes at least two hingedly interconnected structural panels, each carrying a detachable panel of fragile thermal insulation.

A second aspect of the invention is a passive thermally regulated knockdown shipping container. The container includes (i) a pair of separate and independent interchangeable end panels, each carrying a detachable panel of fragile thermal insulation, (ii) a plurality of separate and independent sidewall components in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, (iii) a plurality of primary connection mechanisms, each operable for affecting border to border interconnection of a pair of sidewall components pivoted into a use configuration to form an encircling sidewall assembly, and (iv) a plurality of secondary connection mechanisms, each operable for attaching one of the end panels to the sidewall assembly over an open end of the assembly to form an enclosure defining a thermally regulated payload retention chamber.

A third aspect of the invention is a stackable panel. The panel is configured and arranged with (i) a set of projections extending longitudinally from a first major surface of the panel operable for stably supporting the panel on a planar surface, and (ii) a set of longitudinally inset depressions in the first major surface. The depressions are configured and arranged on the panel such that each projection on the panel, if inverted, would nest within a corresponding depression in the panel upon rotation of the inverted set of projections a defined angular distance about a longitudinal axis of the panel relative to the set of depressions.

A fourth aspect of the invention is a stackable container. The container has one or more sidewalls longitudinally separating identically configured and arranged top and bottom panels. The top and bottom panels are each configured and arranged with (i) an external set of projections operable for stably supporting the container on a planar surface, and (ii) an external set of depressions. The depressions are configured and arranged such that each projection on the panel, if inverted, would nest within a corresponding depression on the panel upon rotation of the inverted set of projections a defined angular distance about a longitudinal axis of the container relative to the set of depressions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the container depicted in FIG. 1 fully assembled.

FIG. 2A is a top view of the assembled container depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the assembled container depicted in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one of the sidewall components depicted in FIG. 1 disposed in a planar storage position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the sidewall component depicted in FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4.

FIG. 4A ₁ is a grossly enlarged portion of the cross-sectional side view of the sidewall component depicted in FIG. 4 for purposes of allowing depiction of one means for detachably attaching the thermal insulation panel to the structural sidewall panel.

FIG. 4A ₂ is a grossly enlarged portion of the cross-sectional side view of the sidewall component depicted in FIG. 4 for purposes of allowing depiction of another means for detachably attaching the thermal insulation panel to the structural sidewall panel.

FIGS. 5A-D depict various arrangements of variously shaped projections and depressions on structural end panels of various cross-sectional shapes that permit stable nestable stacking of containers employing identical structural end panels as both the top and bottom of the containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Definitions

As utilized herein, including the claims, the term “detachable” means capable of being detached without application of violent force and without damage to or destruction of either the item being detached or the substrate from which the item is being detached.

Nomenclature

-   10 Passive Thermally Regulated Shipping Container -   19 Payload Retention Chamber -   20 Outer Structural Shell -   21 Structural End Panel -   21 ₁ Upper Structural End Panel -   21 ₂ Lower Structural End Panel -   21 i Interior Major Surface of Structural End Panel -   21 j Exterior Major Surface of Structural End Panel -   21 p Projections Extending from the Exterior Major Surface of     Structural End Panel -   21 d Depressions in the Exterior Major Surface of Structural End     Panel -   22 Structural Sidewall Component -   22 i Interior Major Surface of Structural Sidewall Component -   22 j Exterior Major Surface of Structural Sidewall Component -   23 Sidewall Panel on Structural Sidewall Component -   23 i Interior Major Surface of Structural Sidewall Panel -   24 Live Hinge Interconnecting First and Second Structural Sidewall     Panels on Structural Sidewall Component -   30 Thermal Insulation Panel -   30 b Border Area of Thermal Insulation Panel -   40 Phase Change Material Panels (PCM Panel) -   50 Means for Detachably Attaching Thermal Insulation Panel to a     Structural Panel -   50 ₁ Hook and Loop Tape -   50 ₂ Pressure Sensitive Adhesive -   60 Connection Mechanism for Attaching Structural Sidewall Components -   70 Connection Mechanism for Attaching Structural End Panel to     Erected Structural Sidewall Assembly -   x10 Longitudinal Axis of Shipping Container -   x21 Longitudinal Axis of Structural End Panel

Construction

Referring generally to FIG. 1, the present invention is directed to various components of a modular kit operable for assembly into a passive thermally regulated stackable shipping container 10, and a shipping container 10 assembled therefrom.

When assembled, the shipping container 10 includes an outer structural shell 20, a layer of thermal insulation 30, and optionally a layer of phase change material (not shown) retained within PCM panels 40, defining a passive thermally regulated payload retention chamber 19.

The outer structural shell 20 may be solid or hollow and may be made from any material possessing sufficient structural integrity, including specifically but not exclusively, cellulosic materials such as paperboard and cardboard, engineered wood products such as laminated and unlaminated fiberboard and plywood, wood, plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon polycarbonates and phenolic resins, wood-plastic composites, metals such as aluminum, copper, brass and steel, glass, ceramics, combinations thereof, and the like.

The outer structural shell 20 is divided into separate and independent structural end panels 21 and at least one structural sidewall component 22. These units are capable of being repeatedly attached to and detached from one another.

Assembly of a shipping container 10 requires two structural end panels 21—one to cover the top 21 ₁ and another to cover the bottom 21 ₂. The top 21 ₁ and bottom 21 ₂ structural end panels are preferably interchangeable with one another so that only a single style end panel 21 need be manufactured and stocked. Use of interchangeable top 21 ₁ and bottom 21 ₂ structural end panels also simplifies assembly of the shipping container 10 as there is no need to obtain and identify separate top 21 ₁ and bottom 21 ₂ structural end panels. A technician assembling a shipping container 10 need only obtain two structural end panels 21.

The exterior major surface 21 j of the structural end panels 21 may be contoured with a set of rotationally spaced longitudinal projections 21 p and rotationally displaced “matching” set of longitudinal depressions 21 d whereby (i) the projections 21 p terminate along a single horizontal plane such that the structural end panel 21 can rest stably upon the projections 21 p when placed upon a flat horizontal surface, and (ii) the projections 21 p on both structural end panels 21, disposed with their exterior major surfaces 21 j facing one another, will nest within corresponding depressions 21 d on the other facing structural end panel 21 when one of the facing panels 21 is rotated a defined angular distance about the longitudinal axis x21 of the panel 21. This permits interchangeable top 21 ₁ and bottom 21 ₂ structural end panels to be used in assembling a shipping container 10 while still allowing such assembled shipping containers 10 to be stably and nestably stacked upon one another by simply rotating an overlying shipping container 10 a defined angular distance about the longitudinal axis x10 of the shipping container 10 relative to the immediately underlying shipping container 10.

Exemplary operable arrangements of variously shaped projections 21 p and depressions 21 d on structural end panels 21 having various cross-sectional shapes are depicted in FIGS. 5A-D, wherein depressions 21 d are shaded and projections 21 p are unshaded. Each is described in further detail in TABLE ONE.

TABLE ONE NECESSARY PROJECTIONS ANGULAR CROSS- ROTATION SECTIONAL SHAPE OF TO ACHIEVE FIG. # # SHAPE PANEL NESTING 5A 4 Square Rectangle 180° 5B 4 Triangle Square  90° 5C 3 Circle Square 180° 5D 3 Hexagon Hexagon  60°

Assembly of a shipping container 10 also requires at least three structural sidewall panels 23.

Structural sidewall panels 23 are grouped together on structural sidewall components 22, with the structural sidewall panels 23 on each structural sidewall component 22 interconnected by a hinge 24, such as a live hinge.

The structural sidewall components 22 can be constructed with any number of hingedly interconnected structural sidewall panels 23 on each structural sidewall component 22. However, as the number of panels 23 on each component 22 increases, so too does the difficulty and complexity of storing and handling the structural sidewall component 22. A nonexhaustive listing of various geometric and configurational options for the structural sidewall components 22 and shipping containers 10 constructed therefrom is provided below in table TWO.

TABLE TWO SIDEWALL COMPONENT SHIPPING CONTAINER # of Panels # of Sidewall Cross-Sectional on Each Components Shape 2 2 Square 2 3 Hexagon 2 4 Octagon 2 5 Decagon 3 1 Triangle 3 2 Hexagon 3 3 Nonagon 4 1 Square 4 2 Octagon 5 1 Pentagon 5 2 Decagon

When the shipping container 10 is constructed from two or more structural sidewall components 22 the structural sidewall components 22, as with the end panels 21, are preferably interchangeable with one another so that only a single style structural sidewall component 22 need be manufactured and stocked.

The structural sidewall panels 23 on each structural sidewall component 22 are configured and arranged such that the structural sidewall panels 23 can be pivoted relative to one another as between a planar storage configuration in which the structural sidewall panels 23 do not contact one another, and a three-dimensional use configuration in which the and structural sidewall panels 23 abut one another along a length of a border area thereof.

A panel of thermal insulation 30 is detachably attached to the interior major surface 21 i of each structural end panel 21 and the interior major surface 23 i of each structural sidewall panel 23 on each structural sidewall component 22. The panels of thermal insulation 30 may be constructed of any material having good thermal insulating qualities, (i.e., having a high thermal resistance “R”), such as Styrofoam, vacuum insulated panels, or the like.

The panels of thermal insulation 30 are aligned on the structural sidewall panels 23 so that the panels of thermal insulation 30 do not contact one another when the structural sidewall panels 23 are disposed in the planar storage configuration, but abut one another along a length of a border area 30 b thereof when the structural sidewall panels 23 are disposed in the three-dimensional use configuration.

In a similar fashion, the panels of thermal insulation 30 are aligned on the structural end panels 21 so that the panels of thermal insulation 30 on the end panels 21 abut the panels of thermal insulation 30 attached to the structural sidewall panels 23 along a length of a border area thereof when the structural end panel 21 is attached to the assembled structural sidewall panels 23.

Preferred materials for use as the thermal insulating panels 30 tend to be fragile and/or frangible (e.g., panels of Styrofoam or vacuum insulated panels). This results in all too frequent damaging of the thermal insulating panels 30 and resultant loss of insulating value. In order to facilitate replacement of damaged and/or failing thermal insulating panels 30 without requiring replacement of an entire structural end panel 21 or structural sidewall panel 23, the thermal insulating panels 30 are detachably attached to the structural end panels 21 and structural sidewall panels 23.

A wide variety of options are available for detachably attaching the thermal insulating panels 30 to the interior major surface 21 i of each structural end panel 21 and the interior major surface 23 i of each structural sidewall panel 23. A preferred option is hook and loop tape 50 ₁ such as shown in FIG. 4A ₁. Another preferred option is double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape 50 ₂ such as shown in FIG. 4A ₂. Yet another preferred attachment means is a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive coated directly upon the structural end panel 21, structural sidewall panel 23, and/or thermal insulating panel 30. Mechanical fasteners may also be used, such as elastic straps, reversible snap fit, reversible press-fit, etc. However, such mechanical fasteners should generally be avoided as they tend to prevent direct contact between the thermal insulating panels 30 when the container 10 is fully assembled, leaving a gap in the layer of thermal insulation through which significant heat loss can occur.

Referring to FIG. 1, the payload retention chamber 19 can be lined with panels of phase change material (PCM panels) 40. The PCM panels 40 can be filled with any suitable phase change material, such as water or various hydrocarbons.

Either of the structural end panels 21 on the shipping container 10 can be selectively removable from the sidewall assembly for allowing insertion and removal of goods from the payload retention chamber 19. PCM panels 40 deployed within the payload retention chamber 19 may similarly be removed for thermal conditioning.

A primary connection mechanism 60 releasably attaches structural sidewall components 22 to one another. A secondary connection mechanism 70 releasably attaches structural end panels 21 to the longitudinal ends of a fully assembled sidewall assembly. Both the primary 60 and secondary 70 connection mechanisms can be selected from the wide variety of known mechanical type fasteners capable of repetitive attachment and detachment of components. A nonexhaustive list of such fasteners includes bolts, buckles, catches, clamps, clasps, hasps, latches, hook and loop tape, and the like.

Assembly and Use

For simplification purposes only, assembly, use and disassembly of a shipping container 10 in accordance with this invention shall be based upon the shipping container 10 depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 2A and 2B.

The shipping container 10 depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 2A and 2B can be rapidly assembled by (i) obtaining a pair of structural end panels 21 and a pair of structural sidewall components 22, (ii) placing one of the structural end panels 21 onto a planar horizontal surface (not shown) with the interior major surface 21 i of the selected end panel 21 facing upward to establish a bottom structural end panel 21 ₂, (iii) placing both structural sidewall components 22—pivoted into the three-dimensional use position—into orthogonal fitted engagement with the periphery of the interior major surface 21 i of the bottom structural end panel 21 ₂ and into orthogonal fitted engagement with one another to define a payload retention chamber 19, (iv) securing the structural sidewall components 22 together with the primary connection mechanisms 60 to form an encircling structural sidewall assembly, (v) securing the structural sidewall assembly to the bottom structural end panel 21 ₂ with the lower sets of secondary connection mechanisms 70, (vi) placing the other structural end panel 21 over the open longitudinal end of the structural sidewall assembly in orthogonal fitted engagement with the structural sidewall components 22 to establish a top structural end panel 21 ₁, and (vii) securing the top structural end panel 21 ₁ to the structural sidewall assembly with the upper sets of secondary connection mechanisms 70.

Loading thermally labile goods (not shown) into an assembled shipping container 10 for transport includes the steps of: (a) detaching the top structural end panel 21 ₁ from the structural sidewall assembly by disengaging the upper sets of secondary connection mechanisms 70, (b) removing the detached top structural end panel 21 ₁ from the structural sidewall assembly for providing access to the payload retention chamber 19, (c) optionally lining the payload retention chamber 19 with thermally conditioned PCM panels 40, (d) placing the payload of thermally labile goods (not shown) into the lined or unlined payload retention chamber 19, (e) optionally covering the open top of the loaded payload retention chamber 19 with a thermally conditioned PCM panel 40, (f) placing the top structural end panel 21 ₁ back over the open longitudinal end of the structural sidewall assembly, and (g) securing the top structural end panel 21 ₁ to the structural sidewall assembly with the upper sets of secondary connection mechanisms 70.

Unloading thermally labile goods (not shown) from a shipping container 10 includes the steps of: (A) detaching the top structural end panel 21 ₁ from the structural sidewall assembly by disengaging the upper sets of secondary connection mechanisms 70, (B) removing the detached top structural end panel 21 ₁ from the structural sidewall assembly, (C) removing any underlying PCM panel 40 for providing access to the payload retention chamber 19, and (D) removing the payload of thermally labile goods (not shown) from the payload retention chamber 19.

Knocking down an unloaded shipping container 10 for return transport includes the steps of (1) removing any PCM panels 40 still in the payload retention chamber 19, (2) detaching the structural sidewall components 22 from one another by disengaging the primary connection mechanisms 60, (3) detaching the structural sidewall components 22 from the bottom structural end panel 21 ₂ by disengaging the lower sets of secondary connection mechanisms 70, and (4) removing the structural sidewall components 22 from the bottom structural end panel 21 ₂. 

We claim:
 1. A sidewall component suitable for use in construction of a passive thermally regulated knockdown shipping container, comprising at least two hingedly interconnected structural panels each carrying a detachable panel of fragile thermal insulation.
 2. The sidewall component of claim 1 wherein the panels of thermal insulation are precisely aligned on the structural panels such that the panels of thermal insulation do not contact one another when the structural panels are disposed in a planar storage configuration, and abut one another along a length of a border area thereof when the structural panels are disposed in a three-dimensional use configuration by pivoting the structural panels about the interconnecting hinge until further pivotal movement is inhibited by the structure of the component.
 3. The sidewall component of claim 1 wherein the structural panels are comprised of a plastic material and are interconnected by a live hinge.
 4. The sidewall component of claim 1 wherein the component has two structural panels.
 5. The sidewall component of claim 1 wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are vacuum insulated panels.
 6. The sidewall component of claim 1 wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are attached to the structural panels with hook and loop tape.
 7. The sidewall component of claim 1 wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are adhesively attached to the structural panels.
 8. A passive thermally regulated knockdown shipping container, comprising: (a) a pair of separate and independent interchangeable end panels, each carrying a detachable panel of fragile thermal insulation, (b) a plurality of separate and independent sidewall components in accordance with claim 2, (c) a plurality of primary connection mechanisms, each operable for affecting border to border interconnection of a pair of sidewall components pivoted into the use configuration to form an encircling sidewall assembly, and (d) a plurality of secondary connection mechanisms, each operable for attaching one of the end panels to the sidewall assembly over an open end of the assembly to form an enclosure defining a thermally regulated payload retention chamber.
 9. The thermally regulated shipping container of claim 8 further including panels of phase change material lining the payload retention chamber.
 10. The thermally regulated shipping container of claim 8 wherein the structural panels are comprised of a plastic material and are interconnected by a live hinge.
 11. The thermally regulated shipping container of claim 8 wherein each sidewall component has two structural panels.
 12. The thermally regulated shipping container of claim 8 wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are vacuum insulated panels,
 13. The thermally regulated shipping container of claim 8 wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are attached to the structural panels with hook and loop tape.
 14. The thermally regulated shipping container of claim 8 wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are adhesively attached to the structural panels.
 15. An article of commerce, comprising a stackable panel having longitudinally spaced first and second major surfaces, the panel configured and arranged with a set of projections extending longitudinally from the first major surface of the panel operable for stably supporting the panel on a planar surface and a set of longitudinally inset depressions in the first major surface configured and arranged such that each projection on the panel would nest within a corresponding depression in the panel upon rotation of an inverted set of projections a defined angular distance about a longitudinal axis of the panel relative to the set of depressions.
 16. A stackable container defining a longitudinal axis and a payload retention chamber, and comprising one or more sidewalls longitudinally separating identically configured and arranged top and bottom panels, each panel configured and arranged with an external set of projections operable for stably supporting the container on a planar surface and an external set of depressions configured and arranged such that each projection on the panel would nest within a corresponding depression on the panel upon rotation of an inverted set of projections a defined angular distance about the longitudinal axis of the container relative to the set of depressions. 